Thirty mussel farmers, fisheries extension officers, community members, and local processors from selected municipalities in Bataan completed a four-day training on postharvest handling, fermentation technology, and business entrepreneurship for Philippine green mussels conducted by the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) from July 21 to 24, 2026.
The training forms part of UPV’s commitment under its recently signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Abucay to strengthen the municipality’s mussel industry through technology transfer, capacity building, and the adoption of research-based technologies.
The opening day featured a lecture by Ms. Ferelyn Oliva of the UPV Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO), who discussed the current state of the Philippine mussel industry and presented research-based technologies developed under the DOST-PCAARRD Mussel Program to improve mussel production, postharvest handling, and value addition. This was followed by a lecture from Ms. Ernestina M. Peralta, retired University Researcher from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) and technology generator of the Low-Salt Fermented Mussel Sauce Technology, who discussed value-adding opportunities for green mussels and introduced the fundamentals of salt-fermented mussel sauce production before orienting participants for the succeeding hands-on activities.
On the second day, Ms. Peralta discussed food-safe postharvest handling practices for fish and other aquatic resources, including proper handling protocols, depuration, and relaying methods to improve product safety and quality. Participants then evaluated various postharvest handling scenarios through group exercises before concluding the day with a session on good manufacturing practices and standard protocols for fermented mussel sauce production.
The third day focused on the hands-on production of salt-fermented mussel sauce. Mr. Ariel Sefil and Ms. Ruby Napata, researchers from CFOS, facilitated the practical training. They guided participants through preparation of raw materials, mussel meat and intravalvular fluid extraction, yield determination, homogenization, and salting procedures, providing firsthand experience in value-added processing.
The final day shifted to enterprise development. Assistant Professor Frediezel De Leon discussed entrepreneurial mindset, opportunity identification, and business fundamentals. Participants then developed Business Model Canvases for their proposed enterprises under the guidance of the UPV TTBDO technology transfer team composed of Ms. Ferelyn Oliva, Ms. Queennie Hope Legaste, and Ms. Jenylle Kate Calizo.
The training formally opened with messages from Hon. Erik Martel, Municipal Mayor of Abucay; Prof. Reynold Tan, Director of the UPV Technology Transfer and Business Development Office; and Ms. Kristine Joy Tandang, ISP Manager for the DOST-PCAARRD Mussel Program under IARRD, who underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration in strengthening the local mussel industry. The activity concluded with closing remarks from IARRD Officer-in-Charge Ms. Virna Salac, who encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in their respective communities.
The initiative reflects UPV’s continuing commitment to translating research into tangible community benefits by bringing research-based technologies to coastal communities, promoting sustainable fisheries development, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening the Philippine green mussel industry through effective technology transfer and collaborative partnerships.
Written by Ferelyn F. Oliva
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